Its legs were four, its tail was one, So one gallant swore by the sun It therefore was a horse; "Nay!" cried the next, "this talk is idle.

If 'twere a horse, 'twould have a bridle, A saddle, too, of course."

"It has a horn, you will perceive, We'll therefore call it, by your leave, A unicorn of pride."

The others vowed by stick and fiddle The unicorn wore his horn in the middle, And not upon the side.

"I call't a lion!" said the third.

"Nay!" cried the fourth, "that's _too_ absurd!

The creature has no mane.

To one who has a judgment fair, It would appear to be a bear; And this I will maintain."

The beast (I'll tell the secret now!

'Twas Farmer Giles's one-horned cow, Her other horn was broken) Advanced, meanwhile, toward the four, And as 'twas supper-time and more, Mooed loud, by way of token.

With shriek and scream those gallants gay To London town fled back away, As fast as they might fare.

And when at home they stopped to rest 'em, A whole menagerie had chased 'em, As every one could swear.

A GARDEN JINGLE.

Three little peas, Three little peas, Three little peas in a pod.

The pod it was green, And fair to be seen, But they wanted to go abroad.

And "Oh," said they, "To be far away, Out in the air so green!

To flutter and fly Like the birds that go by!

We would envy nor king nor queen."

Three little peas, Three little peas, Three little peas in a pod.

My Harry he took them, And rattled and shook them, And fired them all abroad.

The first one fell Right into the well, And learned how to float and swim.

The second did fly Into Roderick's eye, And sorely disgusted him.

But the third little pea, Right venturesomely, Straight up in the air it flew; And it stared in surprise With both of its eyes, To find that the air was blue.

THE BABY GOES TO BOSTON.

What does the train say?

Jiggle joggle, jiggle joggle!

What does the train say?

Jiggle joggle jee!

Will the little baby go Riding with the locomo?

Loky moky poky stoky Smoky choky chee!

Ting! ting! the bells ring, Jiggle joggle, jiggle joggle!

Ting! ting! the bells ring, Jiggle joggle jee!

Ring for joy because we go Riding with the locomo, Loky moky poky stoky Smoky choky chee!

Look! how the trees run, Jiggle joggle, jiggle joggle!

Each chasing t'other one, Jiggle joggle jee!

Are they running for to go Riding with the locomo?

Loky moky poky stoky Smoky choky chee!

Over the hills now, Jiggle joggle, jiggle joggle!

Down through the vale below, Jiggle joggle jee!

All the cows and horses run, Crying, "Won't you take us on, Loky moky poky stoky Smoky choky chee?"

So, so, the miles go, Jiggle joggle, jiggle joggle!

Now it's fast and now it's slow, Jiggle joggle jee!

When we're at our journey's end, Say good-by to snorting friend, Loky moky poky stoky Smoky choky chee!

THE FLAG IN THE SCHOOLROOM.

[_Written for the Central Street Grammar School, Gardiner, Me., Dec. 20, 1880._]

G.o.ddess Freedom, look abroad From thy snowy mount to-night!

In all thy realm so fair and broad, Thou shalt not see a fairer sight.

Youthful hearts, so glad and free, Paying homage due to thee: Youthful voices, fresh and strong, Singing thine immortal song.

As the stars with many a ray Deck thy banner's azure field, So these children stand to-day, Stars of hope upon thy shield.

May each boy, to manhood grown, Ever, Freedom, be thine own; Now thy nursling, frail and tender, Then thy strength and thy defender.

In the years that are to come, Be they dark or be they bright, Make in these young hearts thy home, Raise them to thy lofty height.

Keep them still, in manhood's glow, Pure as is our northern snow; Keep their faith, till life be done, Bright as is our northern sun!

JOHNNY JUMP-UP.

Who wakes earliest in the morn?

Sure you'll think it is the lark, Who before the daylight's born, Rises singing through the dark.

But though sweet the lark may carol, Early to his mate may call, Johnny Jump-up, Johnny Jump-up, Carols loud before them all.

Who wakes latest in the night When the sun is gone to bed, When each tiny blossom bright Nods in sleep its pretty head?

Other babies all are sleeping, Mother's eyelids droop and fall.